Paw Quality Comics

Another Playing Out linoprint

2012-01-30T11:09:00.002Z

- Connor shows his age and gets stuck into making a 'crazy mask' whilst brother Kieran and mate Jamal look on with despair.

New look

2012-01-02T19:57:00.002Z

Do you like the new masthead?
Ten points to whomever can name the inspiration.

It's part of my new 2012 sort your self out and get more professional and productive plan.

Bong Shop

2011-12-29T12:28:00.003Z

Just spent 3 days carving at an A3 piece of lino. Blank Slate have agreed to publish my Playing Out comic as part of their Chalk Marks imprint, which means I finally have a reason to knuckle down and finish it. I'm planning to break up the narrative with 6 or 7 full page images done as linocuts; the above being one of them.

Merry Christmas 1964

2011-12-23T11:09:00.004Z

Drawn from a photo of family friend Billy Browell entertaining the Medways in Bradford 1964, one image on a recently resurfaced roll of film taken by uncle John.
I drew this on a sheet from one of Grandpa Bob's old yellowing sketchbooks which I inherited.

Bodelwyddan Castle

2011-12-20T09:43:00.009Z

I've realised that I spent pretty much all of this summer working on something, and then never got around to putting it up here, so here it is. This isn't all of it, but represents the main body of illustrations. Bodelwyddan Castle near Rhyl houses a selection of the National Portrait Gallery's 19th Century collection. Katy and I were asked to create a family portrait trail to make the experience more fun for kids. We devised loads of games, drawing and writing activities and open-ended questions, then Green Land Design did a great job of laying it all out and making it look like a neat desirable package.
I spent a lot of time researching the various figures portrayed in a number of the portraits, and collected images from their lives to work from. We then threw them together in an imaginary banquet, and let them show off about their various achievements and life stories.

Clockwise from the left - Ellen Terry, Amelia Ann Edwards, John Speke, Florence Nightingale, HM Stanley, John Gully, Grace Darling and James Brooke-

- and their accompanying images - (click to enbigger) -

combined to form this foldout poster 44 x 42cm -

To see the rest, including the kids activities and other nice drawings - please visit the delightful Bodelwyddan Castle and tell them I sent you.

This pen likes drawing girls -

2011-12-14T15:52:00.002Z

Rejected design

2011-12-07T14:14:00.005Z

- for John Rylands Library in Manchester, who were looking for a dragon to show kids and schools around. I seem to be doing a lot of 'tendering' for work nowadays which could all easily end up a huge waste of time and energy, thanks to the satanic bankers and smug Tories who've shafted the whole civilised society.
Got that off my chest.
(I'm not cross with John Rylands Library).

TeenWitch rides again!

2011-11-23T16:33:00.002Z

Classic Paw Quality Comics' TeenWitch now available HERE to digitally downloadly for free.
In the pipes - Garden Funnies 1 & 2, plus Comical Animal vol.1.

Nibblers and Gnawers

2011-11-17T16:15:00.001Z

Spotted on a classroom bookshelf recently. There were two copies. Pretty chilling if you ask me.

Meet the Owls

2011-10-28T10:26:00.003Z

I've drawn a 2 page story, but you can't read it yet. It's very good though, with an amusing ending and everything.

Today, instead of working -

2011-09-29T13:18:00.001Z

Bodelwyddan Castle

2011-09-16T15:10:00.003Z

Light is at the end of the tunnel. I've spent the last few months hammering away at illustrations for a family portrait trail leaflet for Bodelwyddan Castle, Wales. It's just about all approved - when I get the 2 thumbs up I'll post a load of it here. In the meantime; explorer John Speke (as featured on Radio 4's Book of the Week, ending today) -

Happy 40th Birthday Fiona x

2011-08-12T09:21:00.000Z

Coming soon, to Comical Animal

2011-08-08T16:05:00.002Z

Guess the animal and profession -

2011-06-30T10:37:00.003Z

-from a great day yesterday at Fir Vale High School in Sheffield as part of their brilliant Comic Book Week. Forgotten the artist's name - sorry Thingy.

Derry trip sketches

2011-06-07T09:57:00.007Z

Above are all of me. If I'd got everyone at the festival to do me a drawing in return for all the Chewbaccas and zombie portraits I did for them, I'd have lots and lots and lots.
Cait (with one of those lines above the A) designed this which I then copied. I really struggled as people were spelling their names to me 3, 4, 5 times and I still looked blank at them. Down to partial deafness and cultural ignorance on my behalf.
Sat in on Neil Cameron's great robot school session, and designed Squirrel Icebot.
The nice guy who works for DC has given him a contract for 48 issues (at least I think he wanted to but has to check first).
This robot is an amusing pun! and this Jude Law below is an unfinished sketch of who I saw being shown around the Museum of Free Derry. His head really is oversized, and he radiates 'star quality'. I also saw Johnny Rotten in Manchester Airport, but didn't draw him.

Jam comics with other roboteers D'Israeli, Gary Northfield and Deadly Knitshade -

-and also sat in on a 'masterclass' session which was well hard - construct a page of Batman fro the opriginal script and directions. This is what I managed.

All in all a great weekend, generously looked after by all at the Verbal Arts Centre, and met plenty of great artists and humans - my favorite being Davy Francis who drew for Oink!. Phillip Barrett gave me some great minicomics, and I enjoyed talking comics teaching with him.

Inspired to get some super comics made now, though we've got builders in fitting new windows so all is chaos at the moment.

Oh, and the new Comical Animal issue is up, if you've not seen it yet.

blacksmiths

2011-05-30T07:44:00.002Z

2D comics festival, Derry

2011-04-13T12:14:00.002Z

I'm at this at the start of June, running some workshops and meeting people and going to the pub, if you are in the area - proper looking forward to being a real actual Guest.

Not managing to keep this blog freshened am I? Really hard finding the time now there's two offsprungs. Let me know if it's worth me doing this - 5 comments and I'll commit to at least one post a fortnight. x

Mid February Update

2011-02-15T15:52:00.002Z

Recently completed
- my work as lead artist on Manchester Art Gallery's Grayson Perry/Visual Dialogues exhibition - I'll write something proper about this when I get a chance.
- Comical Animal issue 2 - all looking good, plus a nice review here from Richard Bruton.
-Three days of figure drawing with Y10 at Parrs Wood high school. All happy as far as I can tell.
- A day teaching illustration foundation students at Camberwell. Talented bunch, and a very nice day.

In the middle of
- a set of images for Moods of Norway - advocates of cocktail farming and pink trawler parties. Was struggling with watercolours, so bought myself a set of inks and can't understand why I've not done it years ago. Shall show you the results, but not before they are launched properly.

and forthcoming
- some Create Comics workshops in Leeds
- and finishing the undercoat on the outside of our boat.

Ophelia

2011-01-24T09:07:00.003Z

click to enlarge

Really pleased with how this worked out - a single page now on display in Manchester Art Gallery, in front of Arthur Hughes' Ophelia 1852 -

Our response was created by myself and a young people's mental health group of from Wigan. They chose the painting which provoked the most discussion and comments amongst them, which we then drew using the basic comic skills we'd covered in the morning. The background and layout I completed afterwards.
I'm excited by this as it seems such a simple way of responding to a particular artwork: depict those stood in front of it in discussion, so you see what the artwork would see looking back at the viewer. Now I'm keen to try this with other paintings or sculptures in the collection, before the Tory-led government has the place converted into a detention centre or abbatoir.

The Bakers

2011-01-18T16:16:00.003Z

(click to enlarge to readable size)

Drew this last year for Rob Jackson's Pasty anthology, and figure it's now safe to post it here. Seems wrong to draw something for someone then post the whole thing online before it's out. Anyroad, the whole comic is nice and should be purchased from him, on his site.

Bug hotel poster

2011-01-13T11:36:00.004Z

I did this for a poster advertising an event in nearby New Mills, but then never saw the finished poster. Hopefully it went well and the creepy crawlies are settling in well.

New Year's Resolutions

2010-12-31T13:37:00.002Z

Fight the cuts, using the best of my image-making skills.
Finish Playing Out, and the next book, and the one after that.
1,000 subscribers to Comical Animal.
Refresh jimmedway.com and this tired looking blog.
Learn signwriting.
Get the canal boat fettled up sparkling good, then sell it.
Chase more paid work that isn't teaching.
Sort out these piles of books.
Run 3 times a week at least.
Spend less time on this stupid internet, and more playing with Johnny and Rose.
Perfect my homebrew.
Continue treating myself to more books.

Recent attention for Comical Animal

2010-12-18T07:48:00.001Z

Forbidden Planet blog – interview by Kenny Penman

Comics Bureau interview by Dan Berry

Panel Borders / Resonance FM interview by Alex Fitch (audio)

I've not listened to this yet. I'd had 2 pints while waiting for him, so my responses don't necessarily match the questions.

Forbidden Planet blog – review by Richard Bruton

City Learning Centre mural

2010-12-04T13:01:00.003Z

2 weeks ago I spend 3 days in the City Learning Centre at Abraham Moss in Manchester, producing this mural for them. We invited 2 primary classes along, gave them a whistle-stop Illustrator tutorial and left them to design their own future technologies. These were then incorporated into the mural. It was fun!
Film and photos by Sue Wynne of CLC - thanks Sue!

Comical Animal is GO!

2010-12-03T08:47:00.003Z

-see for yourself - over here.

Also have a read of Kenny Penman's interview with me over here. It's only the first part, so there's more to come once I've replied to all his questions.

Keep it real, funny animal fans.

Is this good packaging or what?

2010-11-25T09:43:00.001Z

Because it's just not funny anymore-

2010-11-21T07:43:00.003Z

Comical Animal - your new source of all ages funny animal fun - launches 3rd December.
Subscribe for free now and be sure to be among the first to read the first issue.

Little Rose Medway

2010-11-12T18:29:00.001Z

-born Wednesday 10th November at 3.28pm. Both she and Mum doing very well!

Connect the Plots - recent titles

2010-11-04T10:20:00.003Z

Created by eleven amazing young folks at Mount St Marys High School in Leeds - nicest secondary school I've ever worked in. I think there's just something brilliant about Yorkshire kids, though I don't know what.

Hallowe'en Surprise, created up in Ulverston with some younger but equally talented artists,

-and Billy the Binman, also of Ulverston, but created by six adult humans. Again, a brilliant result!

Medway junior number 2 is due on Sunday, so it may be quiet here on Paw Quality Comics for a little while (what's new?). I am still working and sorting out Comical Animal, still due to launch on the 3rd December, which I'm pretty excited about, and so should be you. I'm excited about the baby too.

Ulverston sessions

2010-10-14T09:02:00.002Z

Been enjoying Saturdays up in Ulverston - long commute but some nice work coming out of it. I'm running a day course for adults on the 30th Oct, if you are in the area.

Jake has taken what I showed him on using simplfied stick skeletons to improve your figure drawing and created these brilliant humanised Pokemon -

-and this jam comic has turned out nice - drawn by me, then Milly and Alice.

The 5 trains involved in getting me there and back mean I'm actually using my sketchbook, though not much of it is worth showing.

Custard Cream Rug - complete

2010-09-28T08:31:00.002Z

All done. Very pleased with the result, but have gone off the idea of doing another biscuit next. I need to think of a nice brightly coloured, bold idea - maybe a logo or something. You suggestions please.

Sewing the strip around the edges on the back took about 5 evenings, but really helps hold it altogether and hopefully will mean it lasts long enough to become a family heirloom (unless anyone wants to buy it).

New apprentice

2010-09-09T08:36:00.002Z

Johnny is 2 years and 2 months now, and is enjoying his felt tips a lot. We draw around stuff, make train tracks, and if I draw a partial cat he'll finish it off with legs, eyes and whiskers. He puts his pen in his other hand to draw whiskers on the other side of the face. Here you can also see Bob the Builder with eyes and a mouth. My child is so talented blah blah blah..........

Workshops brochure

2010-09-08T08:59:00.003Z

Did I ever post this? Maybe, but here it is again - the brochure I send/hand out to teachers and schools, in the hope that I can continue buying secondhand books by working for a living. It's printed using the risograph machine at MARC the printers in Manchester, who are dead cheap and very capable.
Click to enlarge, as they've come out a bit small on screen.

Up and Trotting

2010-09-04T14:47:00.005Z

The preview issue of Comical Animal went out yesterday to great fanfare - take a look on the site. I'm pretty pleased with it, and have learnt quite a lot about what shape it should take, so I'm confident that the December issue is going to be even better. 79 subscribers so far, though I'd like at least 500 by the next one, and a couple more animal adopters would be good.

Have you read it? Did you like it? What was best? Please comment.

Masterchef - the bromance

2010-08-23T10:53:00.004Z

Here's what happens if you get eight strangers together in a room for a weekend and teach them comic skills -

Nothing to do with me - I just gave them the tools.

They ruin everything.

2010-08-23T08:36:00.006Z

Was saddened to spot this article in the Manchester Evening News the other day, about the impending destruction of Oldham's finest landmark. I need to act quick on this and find somewhere in the town to stock my Tshirts which I actually printed up years ago -

Any advice on this? Anyone know anyone in Oldham?

Legalise rugs!

2010-08-19T09:20:00.004Z

This is coming on much quicker than I'd imagined. Might even have time to do a jammy dodger before Christmas.
In other news, I've set a date for the release of the preview issue of Comical Animal - Friday 3rd September. If you've not signed up (over there on the right), then you'll miss out.

New Inn prints

2010-08-18T14:43:00.002Z

If these do OK, then I've got a couple more different ones that I'll make available.
Only just got these back from Common (my slackness not theirs).
Go look see buy -
By the way, the food in Common is excellent at the moment.

Rugs

2010-08-05T11:55:00.004Z

I'm so excited about Comical Animal (if you've not signed up yet then why not?), and it keeps me awake buzzing around my head. To unwind of an evening, I've developed another brainless but productive activity - latch-hook rugmaking. Above rug is a portrait of Ruby the cat about 50cm square, which took maybe a month of evenings, and shall be presented to a little cousin at Christmas.
Current project below, is a big custard cream, 1 metre across, which will probably take me up to November. If it goes well, they may be a series of accompanying rugs (jammy dodger, bourbon, sports biscuit, party ring, that marshmallowy one ... I'm open to suggestions.
I'll make you one for £500.

(this represents one evening's latch-hooking, or 2 packs of pre-cut wool).

Unused Heroes & Monsters images

2010-07-26T09:20:00.005Z

Posting these Heroes and Monsters images as they fell by the wayside of putting all the print stuff together. I'd be surprised if they make any sense out of context, but if you've seen the exhibition you should be able to fit them in somewhere.

Comical Animal

2010-07-21T14:48:00.004Z

Comical Animal is to be a bi-monthly online pamphlet featuring words about and pictures of funny animals. Recruitment of contributors is already underway, and a technical team are exploring technical stuff, and it's going to be amazing.
Subscription will be free, but readers will be delighted into purchasing merchandise or even adopting a cartoon creature whose ongoing life will be documented by one of a number of impressive comic talents.

With baby number two due in November, this may be a foolish enterprise and pointless sap on my valuable time, but hey-ho, Comical Animal needs to see the light of day.

Please sign up over there on the right, now or whenever. You've got a bit of time, as I'm anticipating the first issue shall debut just before Christmas.

My arms ache

2010-07-08T18:01:00.002Z

because I've been painting this for the past 3 days. Needs another day I reckon, but it won't be until later next week. This is just part of it -

Heroes & Monsters bits online

2010-07-04T16:45:00.003Z

http://www.manchestergalleries.org/families/ - a taster of what's to come. Been working really hard on all the artwork for this - there's a lot of it. Show doesn't open until 20th July, which is a good job as I've still got to paint a epic mural over 2 walls depicting the Olympians overthrowing Kronos and his Titan cohorts.

Brittany sketches

2010-06-27T07:20:00.003Z

Probably the first of these rabbits works best, as a logo for something or other. Thinking of starting a company once I work out what it's a logo for. suggestions please.

Beach sketches -

Tattoo sheet

2010-06-15T19:35:00.004Z

Printed this on special tattoo paper. One or two of you might have got a set at a comics Thing event a few years back.
I probably posted this back then, so apologies. I promise I'll have lots of nice new stuff to show you soon - just got a lot on at the moment.

My Hero

2010-06-11T14:52:00.003Z

- from Heritage Commercials magazine a few years ago (come on, you've bought one of these mags at some point haven't you?). Pretty impressive in my opinion.

Lots of teaching at the moment, plus putting a lot of hours into Heroes and Monsters artwork and illustrations. A teaser -

I'm enjoying my new Sailor fountain pen with the funny nib, as recommended by Dan Berry. Still can't control it, but I guess that makes the results more interesting.
Finding this internet pretty dull at the moment (apart from eBay) - am I missing something amazing?

"We are forced to do these things, just as salmon swim upstream." - Neil Armstrong

2010-05-20T17:13:00.002Z

May pole dancers

2010-05-19T14:11:00.000Z

May Queen 2010

2010-05-16T15:53:00.005Z

Johnny took part in last weeks Hayfield May queen procession, as an occasional attender of Hayfield playgroup who all dressed up as Mr Men characters. Seen here chaperoned by Grandpa Pete.

This years theme - Cartoon Fun - for which we built a 9ft high Top Cat. Craftily we were able to use him yesterday for Furness Vale scarecrow day too, though he kept falling over so I removed his shoulders and just propped his head on the rim of his bin. Need to get rid of him now, as he's on someone else's back deck.

Current task - Manchester Art Gallery's Heroes & Monsters imagery, exhibition starting 10th July. More to follow.

Barney Bulldog

2010-04-26T09:32:00.003Z

Posting these for 2 reasons - firstly, everything that Bill Ritchie (1 August 1931 – 25 January 2010) did was gorgeous; best known for Baby Crockett, Smiffy (remind me and I'll did some of these out), and this, my favorite of his - Barney Bulldog from the 1973 Sparky annual.
My second reason is that Ritchie was discussed by a few of up at the Hi-Ex comics weekend in Inverness recently, and I wanted to share these with those nice folks.

Playing Out

2010-04-21T20:19:00.005Z

Ice cube fight

OK, feedback so far has been that the rough is good, but there's just not enough of it to consider a book. I think I probably agree, and so need to start thinking about making something happen to Connor, Kieran and Jamal that's a bit meatier than getting kicked out of Footlocker. This may take some time, but that's fine - I'm still positive about the task. All I need is a well paid commission or two to buy myself some drawing board time.

Race though Debenhams

Finding amusement in the way the Northern Quarter trendies look

Anyroad, Playing Out is on the backburner for a while as I tackle the Greek gods, monsters and mortals for display this summer. I have controversially decided NOT to depict them all as cats - radical huh!

Ooh - in other news, it's been announced by David Fickling at the London Book Fair that the DFC comic shall return in 2012, so that's pretty good to know. Especially as when the tories get in us comics teachers will be first against the wall.

Update

2010-04-07T20:17:00.002Z

I'm having a trial period with Twitter, and not sure what I make of it yet. I abandoned Facebook as a depressing waste of time so we'll see how we do. Anyway, I'm there known as catdrawerjim if you've time on your hands. And if I have.

Today I was asked for my autograph, twice. I was photocopying children's mushroom pictures at the gallery and a couple realised from my badge that I'm the one that did them cats.

Found a lovely set of 2nd hand A3 steel shelves for a nice price. So nice in fact that I'll probably post a photo of them as soon as I get someone to help me carry them up into my loft. Not got desk or anything sorted yet, so that's why I've not been particularly productive with drawing or this blogging.

Forthcoming - I'm doing some murals on the walls and associated illustrations for Manchester Art Galleries Superhero Summer show and events. It's all based around the classical/Greek myths and heros in a handful of their Victorian collection, and will be lots of fun for kids and parents alike. And quite a bit of work for me, which I'm not complaining about.

I've had an idea for a new Jim Medway book - a silent woodcut (well linocut) novel, working title The Olden Days. I shall do absolutely no research into historical accuracy, just to see if it matters or not. Place your pre-orders now!

HiEx Comics weekend, Inverness

2010-03-31T11:40:00.003Z

Still alive, despite it being a month since I last posted here. I'm sure you've all coped as best as you can. Blame work, parenting and builders for my online absence. Anyway, I'm back, prettymuch.

Fun weekend in Inverness at the Hi-Ex comics weekend along with fellow DFCers Dave Shelton, Sarah Macintyre and Gary Northfield. Socially it was great, but financially not the smartest (probably because unlike the others, I had no beautiful new hardback to tout). Lots of kids attended, which made it much more fun than your usual comics event,

- on top of lots of zombies. In fact I got so desparate to make some cash that I started drawing zombie cat portraits (a surefire winner).

Some comic jams were passed around, including this one starring me, drawn final panel first then middle then first last (bad sentence) -

And this by me, Sarah and Dave-

Had lots of requests for (free) sketches, so insisted on swaps. Here's a small handful -

Nice session on friday -

2010-02-21T18:07:00.005Z

Congratulations to Kayleigh, Kieran, Ben, Katie, Jemma, Brent, David and Steven upon completion of Sewercide - Stockport's newest and finest connect-the-plots comic -

Mice picture

2010-01-19T16:42:00.002Z

I'm still alive,

2010-01-11T14:19:00.004Z

- just been busy with moving house, Christmas, then moving out again so the builders can rip the place apart. New joists on 2 levels, new stairs and a loft conversion, plus new kitchen and a couple of windows. That'll be me spent up. Worth it though, as I'll have room to build some decent shelves for all my annuals, and have a nice new office to draw cats in.

Playing Out is plodding along steadily - still roughing out the finished pages. I reckon by mid-february it'll be in a reasonable enough shape to show to potential publishers.

Other than that, got some more school stuff coming up, including a new Artists In Schools project for secondary schools (through Manchester Art Gallery). Plus the Manchester & Comics research is going to get some proper attention, with hopefully an interview or two to get us rolling.

What have you all been up to?

Ooh, and congratulations to Etta Rose McCall, Theo Boyd and young Patrick Kaill for being born. x

From the Streets -

2009-11-25T16:29:00.002Z

from the Vaults -

2009-11-25T16:20:00.003Z

Sorting out the loft and found a pile of old drawings, from what I'd guess was a 9 to 11 year-old Jimmy. It's remarkable how I've not progressed at all - not a single new idea since then.

(Too-Rye-Aye is still a cracking album)

Directional flow in comics

2009-11-24T13:08:00.008Z

Sometimes when I'm teaching comics, and I'm trying to encourage kids to keep it all clear and simple, I'll tell them Charles Schulz's observation that "good cartooning is good design". I'll show them a few images of inflight safety cards and we discuss why it's important that the information is easy to 'read', even though they are always wordless.
And sometimes I'll find myself talking about how artists often use the fact that we read (both words and images) from left to right, and use it to subtly make their story (or 'information') clearer or more explicit. I think I probably became aware of it myself having read 'How to Read Nancy' by Mark Newgarden and Paul Karasik, which unpicks the visual mechanics of Bushmiller's deceptively simple creation -

Just about every Nancy strip I've ever seen has begun with her walking into the story left to right, just as you the reader are doing, leading you smoothly towards the next panel - before you even realise it you've read the whole story (I've a quote somewhere that I will post as soon as I find it, that essentially says that Bushmiller makes it impossible to look at the strip and NOT read it).

He is also very skilful at halting this flow when the story calls for it - usually at the end or punchline - by turning Nancy or another character to face to the right. Visually this acts as a kind of punctuation - stop reading here. In the traditional newspaper strip format this is especially useful, rounding the story off and making sure you don't start straight into Dilbert or Garfield without an appropriate pause.

Since I became aware of this manipulation I've noticed it everywhere, in comics and childrens books. For example, The Berenstain's Bears in the Night, which structurally hangs on you identifying and relating to the cubs, following alongside, being visually confronted and startled by the owl, then turning back on yourself and racing back in the opposite direction.

(not the complete book, just sample pages to make the point)

In a strange way, the cub racing right to left, against your natural inclination to read the page left to right, has the effect of making him race faster, like being on a moving train as one passes in the opposite direction. The cubs haste here is not just created by the cartoony wooshlines and dustclouds, but also your eye travelling across the spread.

A procession depicted moving right to left also seems to work visually better than the other direction - we feel more like spectators stood watching it flow past -

- if for whatever reason we wanted to create an image of a procession that we want the reader to be immersed or involved in, then depicting it travelling left to right will make the reader move in the same direction.

Playing Out

2009-11-11T14:36:00.003Z

page 5, first rough. click to enlarge.

Not entirely happy with this yet, so describing it as a tester. Needs a lot more dark and midtones to enrichen it. Also I've not really thought out how many background figures this is going to involve - the whole thing is set in town on a bustling busy day, so need to decide exactly how much effort to invest in all the periphery stuff.

Connor, Kieran and Jamal are tutting about the price of a pair of trainers, when they spot a 'living statue' (talentless weirdo). On the following page, Jamal also strikes a pose and gets given a quid by someone for his efforts.

Update

2009-11-10T11:31:00.004Z

First of all, thanks for all the positive comments on my competition entry Paul Crystal - it makes me feel like I didn't waste four days after all.

portrait by Hayley - thanks!

I had a good day out last week to Wrexham, visiting the Illustration for Graphic Novels BA. Did a talk on how and why to draw cats which seemed to go well, and got to see a handful of students about their current projects. Seems like a really good course so far, and I'll be interested to see their degree show (some way off, as they've only got 1st and 2nd years so far). Many thanks to Dan Berry for having me, and all the students for sharing their work. Whilst I'm on this, I can recommend Dan's Comics Bureau blog which he uses to keep the students notified of comics stuff they need to know about - I check it every few days and always find something.

As an early birthday present, my delightful girlfriend Katy booked me onto a print weekend course at the excellent Hotbed Press in Salford - Gum Arabic Transfer. Emerged two days later with 40 prints, around 10 of them presentable, and very excited about the potential of this amazing technique. Essentially it's a poormans lithography, in which you paint photocopies with gum arabic solution, ink them up with oilbased relief ink which is repelled by the damp gum but stays on the black toner, then run through the press to transfer to your paper. There's a lot more to it than this, and plenty of creative ways to play with it, but basically that's it.
Most of my time I spent getting the hang of controlling the variables, but did manage a handful of satisfactory experiments.
Colour separation using a different photocopy 'plate' for each colour -

Using cut and torn tissue paper to create other colour effects -

-and I even tried a 3 colour separation -

-which might've worked if I'd not rushed it (slapping too much ink on, poor registration etc). Although it's messy and not of a cat (weird, I know), there's something almost working with this one, and I think it's probably that the other ones were from copies of essentially line drawings while these trees were drawn without outlines and more as areas of tone and colour.
In the new year I'll definitely be back there having another go at it.

I've just put the boy on the bike up on my shop, and if there are any takers I'll put the 3 lads and the 2 kids up there too.

Paul Crystal, Graphic Designer

2009-11-04T09:26:00.006Z

My entry into this year's Observer/ComICA/Johnathan Cape long name short graphic story competition.

Click to enlarge to readable size

Aware that the winning story (which was very good) was to be printed across 4 pages of the Observer magazine, I created this specifically for such a context. For the benefit of those who are not Observer readers (the foreign and the non-middle class), the story pokes fun at the pretensions of many of their features, whilst berating the Saturday Guardian (same publisher) for so savagely dropping the Comic section. Which might be why I didn't win.

Wolfy & Jack

2009-10-26T10:40:00.005Z

Well, both of the Hey 4 Eyes prints have sold, pretty quickly too, but the actual zine is available from the States - let me know and I'll pass on Robyn's email address to you rather than put it up here. As Christmas draws nearer I'll see if I can dig anything else out of the back of the plan chest.

in other news, yesterday was spent at Manchester Art Gallery with Steve, Mike and Dan attending the second day of my Create Comics weekend. following in the great tradition of Lumberjack and Mountie comics in Manchester -

- we created the following Connect the plots comic -

Print available

2009-10-23T08:45:00.003Z

to balance out the amount of money that the internet takes away from me, I'm putting 2 of these lovely prints up on Paw Quality Clutter online store for your purchasing pleasure. It would be nice if you bought one, as I'm in a bad mood - spent half a day writing a brilliant proposal for a certain secondary school who were inviting applications for involvement in a big project, and have not even received the courtesy of a response.
If only everyone were as thoughtful (and talented) as Lizz Lunney, who sent me a little tote bag with this on it -
Thankyou Lizz, you are nicer than all the secondary schools put together.

Merry-Go-Round, October 1949

2009-10-22T12:08:00.002Z

A recent very cheap eBay find, in my quest to explore the history of comics in Manchester. Published by JB Allen ("1180a Chester Road, Stretford, Lancs, and printed by BIBBY & BARON LTD London & Bury"), with a mix of adventure, funnies and non-comic stories, including 'Dick and Doris' written by Bunter creator Frank Richards. around the same time, John Bevan Allen also published a couple of other Richards (non-comic) titles. Further (lazy internet) investigation reveals previous titles Comet (1946 to 59)- succesful, and eventually bought by Amalgamated Press, Fitness and Sun (becoming simply Sun), and a handful of very shortlived titles.
Seems there were only 4 issues of Merry-Go-Round ever produced before it was incorporated into the brand new exciting Eagle (published by Hulton), in order to boost their post-war paper quota.

Comet incidentally featured the debut of Thunderbolt Jaxon, apparently still superheroing somewhere, drawn by Mancunian Hugh McNeill (who drew Pansy Potter in the first issue of the Beano, then worked on LOADS of other comics including many tots titles like Playhour and Jack & Jill)

I could go on, but at the moment, I won't.

Joshua & Alex in Night at the Gallery

2009-10-16T09:03:00.005Z

Just completed the final of 4 very enjoyable mornings of comic workshops at the Ark Pupil Referral Unit in Whitefield. One of the mornings was a trip to Manchester Art Gallery, which inspired our connect-the-plots comic (planned, drawn, printed and stapled in about an hour!) -
Joshua the Lion is taken from Landseer's amazing lifesize painting, and Alex is a fictional member of out group that gets left behind and locked in overnight.

click images to enlarge-

Congratulations to all the children and parents that took part - all have been brilliant in creating such a funny and skillfully drawn story. Keep drawing, everyone!
Also, thanks to all the staff for looking after me so nicely, and awarding me this great certificate -

They're the first place to ever have me back (last year's Bob & Bonecrusher comic posted here), so I'm chuffed about that too.

Update

2009-10-09T13:56:00.004Z

Well, I thought the Tories were bad but tomorrow sees the English Defence League in Manchester, displaying their ignorant poison. What a waste of energy. They should go and help repair footpaths with the National Trust if they want to contribute something positive.

Comics - I've finally got my entry in the post for this year's Observer/Jonathan Cape/ComICA graphic short story competition - sneak preview here -

Also, nearly finished the rough version of Playing Out, so I'm happy about that.

Tory Scum!

2009-10-08T12:51:00.002Z

Was in the city centre yesterday, and couldn't believe the number of expensively groomed and suited, self-satisfied Conservatives swamping our streets. Put me right off my sandwich as I sat in Albert Square.
Which is why I was delighted to see this article on the front of the Manchester Evening News.

Leslie Wood Archive

2009-10-03T19:14:00.010Z

Young Johnny Medway is 15 months now, and is starting to express an interest in planes, tractors and trains. Whilst I approve of his choices so far, I have concerns that this is inevitably leading him into the greedy clutches of Thomas the Tank Engine and his mean, selfish and arrogant friends. It's not just the fact that the typical TTE phase can last more than 3 years and be very expensive (especially if he starts becoming a completist collector like his dad) - there's just something wrong about Thomas. My good pal Christian likens him to Robocop when he removes his mask to reveal his fleshy human face - strip away the metal bodywork and his grey sluglike torso helplessly rolls down the embankment where he lays shivering like ET in the stream.
So how do you avoid becoming the Fat Controller, censoring a childs interests? The solution presented itself a few months ago when I went to see my own work on display in the library of Manchester Metropolitan University. The exhibition presented MMU art graduates work spanning over 100 years of the art department, much of it drawn from their own collection and archive. Alongside Oliver East, Ghilchick (who went on to draw for Punch) and incredible textile and industrial/commercial design, was a small handful of original illustrations for The Little Red Engine books by Leslie Wood.

The books were familiar though I don't remember actually ever reading any of them, and Woods name was unfamiliar, so I was delighted to discover that not only was he Stockport-born and studied at Manchester, but the library's Special Collections department holds his archive.
So, I finally made time on Friday to have a look for myself. Ended up staying for over 3 hours, and only managed to view about a third of his material, and have a brief openmouthed browse around their MASSIVE children's book collection.

It seems much of the most recognisable work was sold at Bohnams back in 2005, and the remaining stack was kindly donated by Leslie's widow Elsie. There's still a respectable amount of Little Red Engine originals, all gouache (I think) and ink on board. Apologies for my poor quality photographs - I will return with a tripod and proper camera. All images are from the archive unless stated otherwise.

This one I pulled off the internet, as it appeals to my love of illustrated maps in kids books, which I think I've mentioned before.

There's work from other titles too-

(unknown title)

-including roughs and originals from much later work, which demonstrates how he was able to move with the times (but unfortunately something of the early charm gets lost) -

Also in the archive - illustrations for magazines, notably Punch as well as Shell's inhouse publication Shellman and work for BP -

-and piles and pile of beautiful advertising work. This only skims the surface with a few choice examples -

(whatever became of Manchester's Wemco Handkerchief Works?)

I must find out if this sugar bowl was ever actually produced. There's a definite Eric Ravilious influence (he needs a separate post), much more subtle than his more energetic lollipop fun work, but still simple, clear and beautiful.
Why is there not a gorgeous monograph of Woods incredible output? I've not touched on his science fiction covers, nor fully explored MMU's treasure horde, but it's clear this amazing artist and designer's significant contribution shaped so many truly delightful images and publications.
I'll be back there as soon as I can, so this is by no means the last you'll hear of Wood or the brilliant Special Collections department.

Thanks to Jeremy for all his kind help in sharing this delightful resource.

Waiting 2009, enamel and marker on found painting.

2009-09-20T13:58:00.002Z

Like everything I do it takes a long time for me to get round to doing it. This sign is one of 3 I rescued from a bookies in New Mills that was being refitted and modernised, probably a couple of years ago now. Finally added my own touch to it, just in time for Paul Stolper's stand at the Buy Art Manchester fair thing at Urbis next week.
Framed (but not glazed), it's over a metre square and dead heavy. Would look great in your house though, as would Oliver East's artwork for Elbow's Seldom Seen Kid, currently on eBay.

2.5 - Character pose sheets

2009-09-11T11:18:00.004Z

Having seen something similar in one of those old learn to cartoon books, I thought it might be good to produce my own version to use in my workshops. This A3 lightly printed sheet now slots in just after draw yourself, and really seems to help kids bring their Charlie Brown versions of themselves to life with movement and body language. I know it only helps them create one style of character, but it keeps things simple enough for all participants, and even the boys who want to learn Wolverine's muscle structure have to start somewhere.

All these examples are from my first sessions using them, at a very nice primary in Chorlton (thank you to the brilliant Kieran, Kerry, Jenny, Izzy and Emily for letting me make photocopies of their work). Being pushed for time, I only let them draw the centre figure then one or two other selected poses before having to move on. These wonderful sheets were brought in the following day, having been completed at home -

(click to enlarge)

This was also the first out of near on 30 schools I've worked in where someone had subscribed to The DFC.

Chorlton mum

2009-09-11T11:16:00.001Z

Range Riders Western

2009-08-31T11:33:00.005Z

Hurrah for Scriveners - found this Pembertons of Manchester story paper for £1. Seems to be 1950, though that might be the date for the original and earlier US edition. I must find out who else (if anyone) was reprinting this kind of American stuff at the time. Did it have the same kind of escapist exotic appeal that manga has now? - a glimpse into an alien and exciting other world, far from the stifling dreariness of 1950's Britain. Saying that, the stories are rubbish.

I'm getting quite excited about this research stuff now, as new information is emerging and various artists and publishers are starting to be approached. Need to make sure I don't spend too much time and effort on it at the expense of cat drawing at the moment, though once a clearer picture of what we've got has taken shape, I'll be able to start thinking about approaching exhibition venues and costing the project up. Also I've got Mr Mike Noon on board as a fellow enthusiast, and he's cleverer than me so it will all turn out better.

Another animal -

2009-08-31T11:32:00.001Z

-this time by Daniel -

Guess the animal, job and emotion

2009-08-26T10:23:00.003Z

Brilliant drawing by Katharine as part of the 3 card characters game at a workshop in Stockport over the weekend.
Whoever guesses right first is super, and the rest of you are rotten eggs.

The Leaflets of Vermont

2009-08-14T09:03:00.004Z

Made this a few years back, during my stay in White River Junction while attending CCS. Before going out there I'd searched for a Vermont guidebook, but it seemed to be the only state without one, which was worrying. Upon arrival I realised that instead they communicate all tourist attractions, culture, leisure and retail through huge expansive racks of leaflets everywhere you turn. It might have something to do with the statewide ban on advertising hoardings - one of the best things a place can do I reckon.
Anyroad there was very little to do of an evening in WRJ - which is why it's such a good place to intensly labour over making comics (especially during the 6 month winter when you're housebound) - so I lay upon my hotel bed on my tummy and produced this.

(click to enlarge)

Skateboard designs

2009-08-11T12:49:00.003Z

These might be of interest to someone beginning with E, and ending in D Syder - a handful of rough ideas for Supreme skateboards which I never heard nothing back on. There might be thousands of kids out there riding on these for all I know. The top one came about from noticing all skateboard designs are like someone playing a trumpet at you really close. The others are just drawings of what skaters seem to do most of the time, other than talk about stickers and stuff.

Playing Out

2009-08-07T12:58:00.003Z

work has earnestly begun on Playing Out - the short story I've been meaning to start for a couple of years but never quite made myself start. I'm not calling it a graphic novel as it's not going to be novel-sized: at the moment the rough plan has it at around 48 pages. I can't imagine it being any longer than this - lots of the Asterix books were this long and were very satisfactory. In fact I'm modelling the format on this European album style - A4ish, paperback, but black and white inkwash.

The story itself is all mapped out, so now I'm going through structuring and planning out each page and scripting as I go. Nothing happens really - it's just Jamal (12), Kieran (12) and his brother Connor (10) knocking around Manchester City Centre, getting kicked out of places and looking at stuff. All pretty gentle - edgier and far more realistic than Crab Lane Crew, but still no swearing or filth as I want to end up with something that can be enjoyed by adults and children (10 years upwards I guess). In the rough page above, the lads are bewildered by how anyone would think it's OK to be one of those living statues - something I think many of us will relate to.

So far I'm really enjoying it - nearly 2 thirds are roughed out and I'm about to have a go a creating a sample finished page. The whole thing will take me ages - it always does with me, but I want to do a good job of it so won't be rushing if I can help it. Once it's at a presentable stage I'll begin showing it around various publishers, but so far there's not nearly enough down on paper to do it justice.

Garden Funnies 2 review

2009-08-03T10:31:00.002Z

Been enjoying the rain too much to post recently, so hope no-one has been sat staring, waiting for me to post.

Nice review of Garden Funnies 2 by Richard and Molly Bruton over there on the Forbidden Planet blog - many thanks Brutons!

Proper post soon - too much to do now.

Weekend Course

2009-07-16T12:52:00.002Z

On the weekend of the 26th and 27th of September, I'm running a Create Comics course for adult beginners. It'll be dead good.

Hayfield Car Boot Sale

2009-07-13T12:07:00.006Z

Moosewood cookbook - 75p - worth it for just this gazpacho recipe which I've done a few times before, having been wowed by it at some nice Canadians for tea. (Bob and Jen also kindly introduced me to Bob Log III, Nashville Pussy, Supersuckers, Neko Case and most bestestly The Sadies - Earth's best band, still).

'Majorette Fourgon' Ice Cream Van - £1 - just so I can show the tattooist what I want on my thigh -

Scabby old cat puppet - 50p - just so I can show the tattooist the markings I want across my back -

Baby's Counting Book - Shuichi Nakahara - 10p - did this artist do one about different animals poo? One of you will know. Anyway, lovely -

And I bought other stuff, but it's too special to share. all this from about 20 stalls! A fine way for father and son to celebrate Johnny's first birthday,- he's going to get dragged round plenty more of these.

Lassco CorneRounder

2009-07-13T11:02:00.004Z

By popular demand, I'm introducing who seems to be the real star of Garden Funnies 2 - The Lassco CorneRounder. I first encountered one of these in the basement workshop of the CCS, and proceeded to round the corners off every piece of paper and card I had within reach. It's also surprisingly light, so it didn't cost too much in postage, which is good for you as you are about to see if there are anymore on eBay. Mine was secondhand, and has a quarterinch radius blade, though there are other sizes.

Update

2009-07-08T15:05:00.004Z

Turn to page 8 of Rob Jackson's brand new Pasty Anthology and see my contribution. Also featured - Steve Butler, Francesca Cassavetti (I always have to check your spelling F!), Dave Hughes, Anthony Mercer, Rob Jackson himself and Matt Badham. Treat yourself to a copy! Now! Here! It's very funny - though I hope Greggs don't throw him in prison.

I scanned these in ages ago, and was waiting for something smart to say about them, but have failed. They're very sweet though, and from the olden days.

and may I offer my congratulations to Marks and Spencer on their excellent decision to bring back some of their 1950's packaging to celebrate their recent 125th anniversary. There's jam jars too. Lovely.

Finally, another go with the carbon papers, this time without the black outline - seems to work nicely. What do you think out there?

Carbon paper experiments

2009-07-08T10:31:00.004Z

Been wanting to try this for a while, but couldn't find my coloured carbon paper anywhere. Ended up ordering some dressmakers coloured carbon, which is good as it comes in fairly big sheets.
I was hoping to replicate or at least approximate the feel and texture of the lithographed book illustrations I make occasional posts on. These images have been tweaked a little once scanned (adjusting the black, white and grey levels), but I think with a bit more experimentation I might get somewhere near. Maybe playing with different papers and drawing instruments will bring up something interesting.

It's almost like coloured pencil, but somehow flatter and more primitive, which I guess if what I'm after. And of course there's no reason why I can't work over it with ink of whatever -

8 - Jam comics

2009-07-07T11:03:00.005Z

I'm tagging this one as a teachers follow-up, even though I usually end a session with it, as it's a fun activity that can be repeated over and over. Teachers might like to introduce genre or topics, or ask participants to demonstrate that they have taken onboard a particular skill or technique (such as contrast, zoom or whatever).

Essentially it's a comic version of consequences (draw a head, fold it over and pass it on, draw a body, fold it over and pass it on, draw some legs), except rather than drawing 'blind', you can see the previous panel. It's called a Jam comic because it's a little like musicians getting together and jamming, not knowing what might come out of it. Not sure who invented this so afraid I can't credit them. I first took part during the summer workshops I attended at CCS, though it seems a popular game with comic artists everywhere, especially at Drink'n'Draw events.

Everyone gets a photocopied sheet with 3 blank panels on it, usually AFTER the game is explained. They are given 10 (sometimes 15) minutes to create the first panel of a story - just the first panel. There's no need to think up a complete story - that's someone else's problem, as after the allotted time the sheet will passed on. I don't tell them which way to pass until the time is up, as otherwise they start plotting to pass across to friends, or influence the progression of the story.

MY OWN IMPORTANT RULES - I had to start being strict on these as kids were copping out, cutting corners or not showing off what I've been trying to force on them all day -
No narration - too many will happily fill a panel with "one day Pippa went for a walk and..." - I want the pictures and speech bubbles to tell the story.
No stick figures or tiny piddling little characters - it's not good enough! Plus the next person needs a decent character to draw from.
No weapons, violence or death. This rule raises dismayed groans from a handful of boys, and it is aimed directly at them. If a 10 year old imagination can come up with something more interesting than a shootout or road fatality, then all is lost.

While they are drawing, I make it very clear that once they've completed the first panel, the story is no longer in their control - it is up to somebody else what will happen next. Quite often there will be one kid who is either devastated by how their story ends up, or are too busy telling the next person what they want to happen that they don't manage to do anything with the new sheet in front of them. One lad was in tears when the girl next to him turned his Star Trek space adventure into a romance.
I'll also stress that I want to see that they've been listening all day, and see some of the basic skills we've covered in action (for example, speech bubbles need to be large and clear, and read in the correct order).

10 minutes up, and I'll tell them pens down and pass to the left, clockwise, around their table or group. Before starting the second panel, I make it clear -
-To study the first panel and see what kind of story is suggested there. you might choose to go with this or subvert it, but just be aware of what has happened so far.
-Don't just copy out the same panel and change the speech bubbles. It's usually the end of the day when I do this one, so some kids might have become tired or lazy with their drawing, and I ask them to try to vary how it might look - should you zoom in? Zoom out? Create some action? Introduce a new character? Jump to a new location? Add an unexpected twist to the story?

Everyone is now drawing characters created by the previous person, and so the clearest and simplest character designs make this much easier. This is a real challenge (for kids or adults), especially as we need to alter poses and expressions.

After 10 more minutes we pass for the final time, and we all now have to see if we can pull the story into some kind of conclusion, punchline or cliffhanger (we usually have a conversation about what these 3 terms mean).
Once complete, the stories are passed around and enjoyed, and time allowing, a few can be shared in front of the class. Once or twice I've collected them in and produced a photocopied and stapled compilation (either by myself or having them do the work).

This is great fun, and a nice way to round up a session. It allows kids to create collaboratively and quickly, and more often than not they are amazed and surprised by how their story has strayed from what they initially imagined might occur.
Teachers might use the simple 3 panel structure to help when discussing narrative - start, middle and end, or scene, action, result.
There's no reason why you can't extend the 3 panels onto further sheets and have longer stories with more contributors. Introduce new rules to make the game more interesting or challenging (e.g. no words allowed, or use only French).

All examples above are using the regular evenly sized panels on A4, though very recently I've decided to alter the format to this on A3 -

Larger paper means kids no longer have any excuse for tiny little people and mumbling speech - now we have to be a bit bolder. Also the different shaped panels allow the first person to set the scene a little more (I'll give a bit more time for this first panel maybe). Finally the space right at the top can be used for the final artist to add an appropriate title, using their bestest bubble or block lettering, and maybe also the 3 contributors names.

Next sessions post - I think I should do something on Connect the Plots.

Ploof and Mouk

2009-07-07T09:55:00.003Z

Another find from Pere Castor's animal series - Ploof the Duck. I stretched to £10 for this one, solely for these few pages -

More importantly, Earth's greatest living illustrator Marc Boutavant FINALLY has something out in English - Around the World with Mouk.

And it has stickers. and it's too big to scan properly, so these are just small chunks of the most vibrant and delightful pages you are likely to find for a long time (until his next book). This book makes me want to weep with joy whilst jealously cursing his extreme talent. I want to kiss him.

(in Greece)

-maybe I've just got something about illustrated maps.

White River Junction sketches

2009-06-24T12:23:00.002Z

Done back in 2006, the day before starting the summer workshops at the Center For Cartoon Studies. I'm posting these as an excuse to point you towards their regularly updated blog related to their Schulz Library, the worlds most magical place! Staff and students seem to take it in turns showing you particular items of interest - simple but brilliant.

Wuff, Snuff and Tuff

2009-06-18T12:36:00.004Z

Another bookshop find, a collection of William Timyn's strips originally seen in WOMAN magazine. Not sure what year this is from, but it looks like 40's or 50's judging by the print technology. The strips themselves are nothing special, but the design and layout is something I'd like to try to emulate sometime -

Seems they also inspired a puppet from Pelhams, though I can't tell if they produced all 3 identical pups.

'Tim' also created the more familiar Beep and Booster from Blue Peter (- thank you Toonhound!).
Right, back to work, Jim.

Update

2009-06-17T14:40:00.006Z

Well, not really an update, more a bunch of stuff I've scanned (as well as putting off doing some inking).

Bought a copy of The Beano the other week, just to see what it's like now. I think I'd been a bit down on it since I last looked - full of dreadful adverts, crappy art and stories - but I was pleasantly surprised. Yep, still adverts, but I guess that's how they do it for £1.25 rather than £3. But I was actually quite entertained and wasn't offended by any of it.
Highlights -

Gary Northfield's Derek the Sheep, (whose book compilation is to be featured in the list of free ones they give to kids to get them reading, which is great),

and Rasher. I've just looked up the artist as it represents how Beano strips ought to look in my opinion, and it turns out they're reprints of older David Sutherland strips. I'd like to shake this chap by the hand - Gary can you introduce me? He's 75 apparently, and still producing the odd strip.

In other news, this was found in High St Books, New Mills -

Never seen this guys stuff before, and he probably deserves a post of his own, but this cover will have to do for now. Fantastic colour, blurb and lettering, but why is it so off-centre?

Next is a picture of a police dog, done by someone during one of my sessions. I rescued it from the bin as I think it's a very nice police dog.

And finally, a retirement cake produced for Manchester Art Gallery curator Melva Croal. The painting in the background is Ford Maddox-Brown's Work, hence the funny joke.

Garden Funnies no.2

2009-06-16T11:06:00.004Z

Well it took me a while, but it's finally available. Featuring cover art by Gary Northfield, and contributions from Ed Syder, Steve Tillotson, Adam & Hilary Steel, Lizz Lunney, Duncan Bourne, Francesca Cassavetti, Alex Potts and me.
You can buy it for £3 here in my magical shop, or from any of the contributors (contributors - they're going in the post today!). I believe Francesca will be taking a handful down to London Underground Comics on the 27th. When I'm in Manchester next I'll call in Travelling Man with a bunch too.

I know I'm not going to make a penny on this as I don't think any smallpressers ever do, so rather than trudge around different comic shops seeing if they'll take a few copies (then trudging round again a few months later to find I've made £1.50 for my efforts), I'm 'empowering' the contributors with 15 copies each. They can do what they want with them, including trudge round comic shops if they want to. Any takings are their pocket money - the least I can do when everyone has contributed for free.
If I sell around 70 copies myself then I'll break even. The main thing is that hopefully it serves as a useful promotional tool for all involved and possibly leads to some proper paid work for some of us.

And it's got rounded corners.

Hey 4 Eyes!

2009-06-04T10:38:00.002Z

I was chuffed when CCS tutor Robyn Chapman asked me to contribute to her fantastic and highly specialised Hey 4 Eyes! spectacles 'zine. Especially as it was for the cover.

first idea

much better idea

final screenprinted version of full wraparound cover.

coptributors include ellen Lindner, Joseph Lamberty, Colleen Frakes, Harry & The Potters, Alec Longstreth, Tom Kaczynski, Robyn Chapman, Hilary Florido, Jon Chad, Scott Urban, Nate Beaty, Adriana Yugovich, Karen Sneider and Jeff Sharpe.

It also features my very own article on Colonel Blink (of The Beezer) - but you'll have to buy it to read it. But it's not for sale on her online shop yet, so I'll keep an eye out for when it is (or you could contact Robyn to pester her personally).

Racing cars and kittens

2009-06-04T10:31:00.003Z

Last month we went to Buxton Raceway, and it was amazing. Tucked up behind a hill near the pretty spa town is what feels almost like an illegal gathering - dead exciting. And it was non-stop - race after race, crashes, kids driving, bangers, souped up performance cars, tractors putting the victims off the track - brilliant. £11 for 25 races. The tea was the worst I've ever tasted though, so take a thermos.

Last week I was helping out with the half term family activities at Manchester Art Gallery, which was fun too -

Banal Pig

2009-06-01T12:45:00.004Z

Got a page in the brand new special Banal Pig Landscape Anthology, put together by the very talented Steve Tillotson.
I've drawn a handful of baby animals falling over, this being one of them -

A truly delightful package, super nice quality, featuring loads of people far better than me - available here for £5.50.

House for sale

2009-05-29T05:52:00.008Z

Now Johnny getting bigger, is a master crawler, and on the cusp of the brink of walking, our house has become very small of a sudden. So, with much regret we have put it on the market. When we moved here almost 3 years ago it was quite a jump from the city centre - bullfinches, nuthatches and badgers instead of violent drunks, and barges instead of buses. Now we can't imagine living anywhere else, so we certainly won't be moving far. 4 doors down if all goes to plan.
This is why it's so amazing:

no through traffic - on a dead end rough track off a private cobbled road.
Peak Forest Canal right at the back - one of the networks prettiest. Towpath newly upgraded as a national wheelchair route.
Quiet - apart from the odd goose honk.
2 minutes walk from Furness Vale station, from where you are 20 minutes from Buxton and about 40 from Manchester.
20 minute walk to Whaley Bridge (The Shepherds, Memories of India, Tescos) or New Mills (High St Books, Bryans butchers, Potts Bakers and the Swizzells Matlow sweet factory).
Within 15/20 minutes drive- the Goyt Valley, Chapel en-le Frith, Chinley, Glossop, Disley, Lyme Park, Macclesfield, Hayfield and all the beautiful High Peak.
Furness itself has a little shop, Post Office, brand new chippy, social club, Soldier Dick (for sale) and The Crossings - excellent community pub.
animals I've seen since being here - ducks, moorhens, geese, herons, kingfishers, nuthatches, bullfinches, wrens, goldfinches, blue tits, coal tits, woodpeckers, jays, rabbits, foxes, badgers, llamas, alpacas, frogs, toads, sheep cows, horses, ponies, bats...
2 beds, loft conversion where Crab Lane Crew was created, garden (with veg patch) at front, shed with deck (on top) at the back, and this-

view directly at the back of the house

It's on with Rowcliffes of Whaley Bridge at £135,000. Search for 7 Lake View, or 2 bedrooms in furness Vale. Why not book a viewing?
Here it is on Google Earth - look for the end of Calico Lane.

Me interviewed -

2009-05-27T07:18:00.001Z

- alongside Adam Cadwell, who also came along to observe a day comicing in school last week. The interview is by the very super Matt Badham - here.

Survival of the bestest

2009-05-26T18:53:00.004Z

A couple of samples I did in a bid for illustrating the panels accompanying a forthcoming Darwinism exhibition at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery. Someone else got the job though - hey ho.

Survival of the fittest

Artificial selection

Power Pak

2009-05-23T15:25:00.005Z

Apologies if you keep coming here wanting posts on art, comics or teaching. But as it's the bank holiday weekend I feel no guilt about this one - my 1950's Power Pak cyclemotor is now up and running.

The bike itself, a 1960's Triumph was £30 off eBay. This is a very mediocre frame indeed, and certainly nothing to do with the proper Triumph company.

I scraped all the ugly stickers off the frame, removed the mudguards and swapped the tyres for a new set of Schwalbe creme delta cruiser lovelies -

The engine fitting wasn't something I was capable of attempting myself, so I forced it on the magical Mel Cranmer ( - once when I told him I'd been cleaning all morning he retorted "but you don't have a motorbike do you?!"). A couple of hours later, and we've got a working cyclemotor. Which I was dead chuffed with, as I didn't really expect a 1950's piece of kit to actually still function at all (the Power Pak was one of the new products featured in the Festival of Britain back in '55). At 49cc it's not exactly powerful, but there's enough to make it fun, and it sounds wonderful. not been far on it yet, just round the block and along the towpath a bit as it's not exactly road legal - though can be once I've got it registered and certified. Though it's not a motorbike, but a bike with motor assisted pedalling.

You should get one, or one like it. It's better than comics. We could race and everything.

Motivational posters

2009-05-22T18:26:00.004Z

Facing me whenever I look up from my desk. 'free stuff' doesn't mean what kind people might send me, but more a reminder to pursue paid work before unpaid.
These posters are for sale - made to order, with a picture of a cat on the back. £10 to you.

Paw Quality Comics

Another Playing Out linoprint

New look

Bong Shop

Merry Christmas 1964

Bodelwyddan Castle

This pen likes drawing girls -

Rejected design

TeenWitch rides again!

Nibblers and Gnawers

Meet the Owls

Today, instead of working -

Bodelwyddan Castle

Happy 40th Birthday Fiona x

Coming soon, to Comical Animal

Guess the animal and profession -

Derry trip sketches

blacksmiths

2D comics festival, Derry

Mid February Update

Ophelia

The Bakers

Bug hotel poster

New Year's Resolutions

Recent attention for Comical Animal

City Learning Centre mural

Comical Animal is GO!

Is this good packaging or what?

Because it's just not funny anymore-

Little Rose Medway

Connect the Plots - recent titles

Ulverston sessions

Custard Cream Rug - complete

New apprentice

Workshops brochure

Up and Trotting

Masterchef - the bromance

They ruin everything.

Legalise rugs!

New Inn prints

Rugs

Unused Heroes & Monsters images

Comical Animal

My arms ache

Heroes & Monsters bits online

Brittany sketches

Tattoo sheet

My Hero

"We are forced to do these things, just as salmon swim upstream." - Neil Armstrong

May pole dancers

May Queen 2010

Barney Bulldog

Playing Out

Update

HiEx Comics weekend, Inverness

Nice session on friday -

Mice picture

I'm still alive,

From the Streets -

from the Vaults -

Directional flow in comics

Playing Out

Update

Paul Crystal, Graphic Designer

Wolfy & Jack

Print available

Merry-Go-Round, October 1949

Joshua & Alex in Night at the Gallery

Update

Tory Scum!

Leslie Wood Archive

Waiting 2009, enamel and marker on found painting.

2.5 - Character pose sheets

Chorlton mum

Recommended reads

Range Riders Western

Another animal -

Guess the animal, job and emotion

The Leaflets of Vermont

Skateboard designs